Is Air Conditioning Doing More Harm?
As the temperature rises during the summer season, many households turn to
more than just ice-cold drinks to keep them cool.
Air conditioning
was once regarded as a residential luxury, but has become something of a
necessity throughout the United States. Not only will air conditioning cool a
room to a bearable temperature during balmy, humid summer days, but also uses
the same techniques as a refrigerator to provide ventilation and
dehumidification for indoor air.
Brief Air Conditioning History
The concept of cooling spaces by using natural elements is one that can be
traced to the times of ancient Egyptians, who circulated aqueduct water
through the walls of various structures to produce a cooling effect. Even in
those times, since water was scarce, wealthy residents were only able to enjoy
this luxury. During hot weather, medieval Persians created wind towers to cool
down buildings. It wasn't until the early 1800s that a British scientist
started to experiment with the compressing and liquefying of ammonia. He
learned that liquefied ammonia could chill the air when it evaporated.
In 1842, an American doctor named John Gorrie created ice to cool the air of
hospital patients and had dreams of using this technology to create a cooling
machine for buildings. He tinkered with the plans of constructing an
ice-making machine with the help of a financial backer. When his support was
no longer available, he could no longer finance his experiments. When he
passed away in 1855, the idea of air conditioning was also laid to rest for
about 50 years.
After the attempts of Gorrie, industrial air conditioning was created in the
early 1900s with the first modern electrical version of air conditioning.
Throughout the years, a shift was seen in the use of air conditioning, as
automobiles and households began to benefit from the invention. The Carrier
Air Conditioning Company began to lead the way in bringing the concept to the
public, and during the 1950s, it was a contagious residential dream.
The Pros and Cons
The benefit of enjoying a cooler atmosphere during heated weather is not the
only advantage gained when turning on the air conditioner. A household,
vehicle, and other building environment becomes cleaner and safer for
breathing when air conditioning is able to prevent the growth and spread of
harmful microorganisms. Individuals who suffer from allergies and asthma are
especially thankful for the better atmosphere an air-conditioned room
provides, as less dust and dander are present. In seriously hot weather,
babies and the elderly also benefit from air conditioning as heat waves have
been known to take the lives of those whose immune systems and health might
not be the strongest.
One of the most controversial topics attached to the subject of air
conditioning deals with some of the materials that are used to produce the
cooling affect of these machines. Fluorocarbon refrigerants also contribute to
global warming concerns, which serves as one of the main ways that
air-conditioning impacts the state of the environmental world. Fluorocarbon
refrigerants also add to the problems concerning ozone layer depletion.
While the temporary relief that
air conditioning
provides makes hot summer nights and heat waves a more bearable event, many
question how much the world will pay in the long run after the environmental
damage has settled. Today, scientists are working on making more environmental
friendly products, but for now, individuals are reluctant to part with their
instant cool during the thick of summer.
About the Author:
Kimpton were the first company of
our size in the North West to achieve quality assured status.
 If you are looking for an
Ohio Air Conditioning contractor please call us today at 330-908-0281 or complete our online service request form.
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